CCD cameras for astronomy, microscopy and other low-light
applications.

Moravian Instruments CCD cameras are designed with maximum image
quality on mind, camera electronics ensure reading of the image with
read noise limited by the CCD chip itself. Camera bodies are compact
and robust, CNC manufactured from solid aluminum. G2, G3 and G4 series
of cameras are powered from single unregulated 12V DC supply, G1
cameras are powered directly from the USB line. Embedded inside G2 and
G3 cameras are mechanical shutter and filter wheel. These cameras can
also cool the CCD detector up to 50°C below
ambient temperature.

G2 Mark II cameras

The cooled G2 series Mark II cameras were
developed for imaging under extremely low-light conditions in
astronomy, microscopy and similar areas. Design of this series
inherits from earlier G2 Mark I cameras but brings some
significant enhancements, especially much faster download and
adjustable telescope adapters. G2 cameras employ precise
electronics providing uniform frames and extremely low read noise
limited only by CCD detector itself. Modular mechanical
construction allows various camera variants to be combined with
rich set of accessories, including telescope adapters, off-axis
guider adapters, internal or external filter wheels, Ethernet
adapters, guiding cameras etc.

G2-0400, G2-1600 and G2-3200 cameras with non-ABG Kodak KAF CCD
chips are suitable for scientific applications, requiring both
high quantum efficiency and linear response to light.

G2-2000 and G2-4000 cameras with Kodak KAI CCD chips with ABG
are suitable for astrophotography — anti-blooming of KAI CCDs eliminates charge blooming
when bright stars appear in the field of view.

G2-8300 camera with Kodak KAF CCD with ABG, also suitable for
astrophotography, especially in combination with telescopes with
smaller focal length due to small pixels and large resolution.

Model

CCD Chip

ABG

Color mask

Resolution

Pixel size

Imaging area

G2-0400 Mk.II

KAF-0402ME

No

None

768 × 512

9 × 9 μm

6.9 × 4.6 mm

G2-1600 Mk.II

KAF-1603ME

No

None

1536 × 1024

9 × 9 μm

13.8 × 9.2 mm

G2-3200 Mk.II

KAF-3200ME

No

None

2184 × 1472

6.8 × 6.8 μm

14.9 × 10 mm

G2-8300 Mk.II

KAF8300 Monochrome

>1000×

None

3358 × 2536

5.4 × 5.4 μm

18.1 × 13.7 mm

G2-8300C Mk.II

KAF8300 Color

>1000×

Bayer RGBG

3358 × 2536

5.4 × 5.4 μm

18.1 × 13.7 mm

G2-2000 Mk.II

KAI-2020 Monochrome

>300×

None

1604 × 1204

7.4 × 7.4 μm

11.9 × 8.9 mm

G2-2000C Mk.II

KAI-2020 Color

>300×

Bayer RGBG

1602 × 1202

7.4 × 7.4 μm

11.9 × 8.9 mm

G2-4000 Mk.II

KAI-4022 Monochrome

>300×

None

2056 × 2062

7.4 × 7.4 μm

15.2 × 15.3 mm

G2-4000C Mk.II

KAI-4022 Color

>300×

Bayer RGBG

2054 × 2060

7.4 × 7.4 μm

15.2 × 15.3 mm

Large format G4 CCD cameras

G4 cameras are capable to use large CCD
detectors with 36 × 36 mm area, which
is 50% more than the area of classical film frame. Precisely
regulated cooling keeps the CCD on constant temperature, which
allows quality image calibration. Cameras can be equipped also
with liquid-coolant heat exchanger to cool down the hot side of
Peltier TEC modules, beside the two magnetic levitating fans used
in air cooled cameras.

There is a mechanical shutter inside the camera head, filter
wheel for 50 × 50 mm square filters (round filters of
50 mm diameter cause vignetting on
such large CCD chips) cannot be placed inside the camera head due
to limited space. But it is possible to connect external filter
wheel for 5 large filters to the G4 camera, the camera head
already contains connector for external filter wheel control.

Used CCD detectors are equipped with so-called
anti-blooming gate (ABG), which drains the over-abundant
charge from saturated pixels. ABG ensures the round images of
bright stars, without disruptive blooming spikes. On the other
side, compromising of the CCD linearity by ABG is only negligible.
G4 cameras can be used for astrometric and photometric
applications as well as for astrophotography.

Model

Color mask

ABG

CCD chip

Resolution

Pixel size

Image area

G4-9000

no

>100×

KAF-09000

3056 × 3056

12 × 12 μm

36.7 × 36.7 mm

G4-16000

no

>100×

KAF-16803

4096 × 4096

9 × 9 μm

36.9 × 36.9 mm

Universal cooled G3 CCD cameras

G3 cameras can be equipped with CCD
detectors up to 24 × 36 mm. Precisely
regulated and efficient cooling of the CCD more than 50°C below ambient temperature allows quality image
calibration. There are mechanical shutter and filter wheel with
5 positions for 2 inch filters inside the camera head, so these
cameras can be used in unattended, robotic setups.

CCD chips Kodak KAF with linear response to light are suitable
for scientific applications. Large area of these detectors fits
long focal length of big telescopes. Large pixels ensure high
image dynamic range.

Universal cooled G2 CCD cameras

G2 cameras were designed for demanding
scientific applications and for high-end astrophotography. Very
high quantum efficiency (more than 85% in the case of G2-3200
camera) allows capturing of very faint objects. High quality
electronics provides uniform images without artifacts and the read
noise is limited by the CCD detectors themselves. Regulated
cooling of CCD up to 50ºC below ambient temperature
significantly reduces detector dark current. Cameras have
integrated filter wheel with 5 positions for
1.25" filters in threated cells or with 6
positions for glass-only filters and mechanical shutter.

G2-0400, G2-1600 and G2-3200 cameras with non-ABG Kodak KAF CCD
chips are suitable for scientific applications, requiring both
high quantum efficiency and linear response to light.

G2-2000 and G2-4000 cameras with Kodak KAI CCD chips with ABG
are suitable for astrophotography — anti-blooming of KAI CCDs eliminates charge blooming
when bright stars appear in the field of view.

G2-8300 camera with Kodak KAF CCD with ABG, also suitable for
astrophotography, especially in combination with telescopes with
smaller focal length due to small pixels and large resolution.

Model

CCD Chip

ABG

Color mask

Resolution

Pixel size

Imaging area

G2-0402

KAF-0402ME

No

None

768 × 512

9 × 9 μm

6.9 × 4.6 mm

G2-1600

KAF-1603ME

No

None

1536 × 1024

9 × 9 μm

13.8 × 9.2 mm

G2-3200

KAF-3200ME

No

None

2184 × 1472

6.8 × 6.8 μm

14.9 × 10 mm

G2-8300

KAF8300 Monochrome

>1000×

None

3358 × 2536

5.4 × 5.4 μm

18.1 × 13.7 mm

G2-8300C

KAF8300 Color

>1000×

Bayer RGBG

3358 × 2536

5.4 × 5.4 μm

18.1 × 13.7 mm

G2-2000

KAI-2020 Monochrome

>300×

None

1604 × 1204

7.4 × 7.4 μm

11.9 × 8.9 mm

G2-2000C

KAI-2020 Color

>300×

Bayer RGBG

1602 × 1202

7.4 × 7.4 μm

11.9 × 8.9 mm

G2-4000

KAI-4022 Monochrome

>300×

None

2056 × 2062

7.4 × 7.4 μm

15.2 × 15.3 mm

G2-4000C

KAI-4022 Color

>300×

Bayer RGBG

2054 × 2060

7.4 × 7.4 μm

15.2 × 15.3 mm

External Filter Wheels for G2, G3 and G4 CCD cameras

External Filter Wheels for G2, G3 and G4
CCD cameras offer more positions compared to internal filter
wheels, embedded into camera head. External filter wheel is not
connected to the host PC (with separate USB or serial cable) as
well as to separate power supply. Only single short 8-wire cable
connects the external filter wheel with the camera head. External
and internal filter wheels are indistinguishable from the software
point of view, same drivers are used to control them.

External filter wheels cannot be used together with internal
ones. G2 and G3 cameras with internal filter wheel cannot be
attached to external filter wheel — the
camera is manufactured either with internal filter wheel or with
connectors and thinner front case for attaching of the external
filter wheel. Because of the filter size there is no internal
filter wheel for G4 series of CCD cameras, these cameras can be
used only with external filter wheels.

G0 and G1 cameras use Sony ICX CCD detectors with progressive
read. All models are available in both monochrome and color
versions.

Model

CCD

ABG

Color mask

Resolution

Pixel size

Chip area

G0-0300

ICX424AL

yes

none

656 × 494

7.4 × 7.4 μm

4.9 × 3.7 mm

G0-0300C

ICX424AQ

yes

RGBG (Bayer)

656 × 494

7.4 × 7.4 μm

4.9 × 3.7 mm

G0-0800

ICX204AL

yes

none

1032 × 778

4.65 × 4.65 μm

4.8 × 3.6 mm

G0-0800C

ICX204AK

yes

RGBG (Bayer)

1032 × 778

4.65 × 4.65 μm

4.8 × 3.6 mm

G0-2000

ICX274AL

yes

none

1628 × 1236

4.4 × 4.4 μm

7.2 × 5.4 mm

G0-2000C

ICX274AQ

yes

RGBG (Bayer)

1628 × 1236

4.4 × 4.4 μm

7.2 × 5.4 mm

Model

CCD

ABG

Color mask

Resolution

Pixel size

Chip area

G1-0300

ICX424AL

yes

none

656 × 494

7.4 × 7.4 μm

4.9 × 3.7 mm

G1-0300C

ICX424AQ

yes

RGBG (Bayer)

656 × 494

7.4 × 7.4 μm

4.9 × 3.7 mm

G1-0301

ICX414AL

yes

none

656 × 494

9.9 × 9.9 μm

6.5 × 4.9 mm

G1-0301C

ICX414AQ

yes

RGBG (Bayer)

656 × 494

9.9 × 9.9 μm

6.5 × 4.9 mm

G1-0800

ICX204AL

yes

none

1032 × 778

4.65 × 4.65 μm

4.8 × 3.6 mm

G1-0800C

ICX204AK

yes

RGBG (Bayer)

1032 × 778

4.65 × 4.65 μm

4.8 × 3.6 mm

G1-1200

ICX445ALA

yes

none

1296 × 966

3.75 × 3.75 μm

4.9 × 3.6 mm

G1-1200C

ICX445AQA

yes

RGBG (Bayer)

1296 × 966

3.75 × 3.75 μm

4.9 × 3.6 mm

G1-1400

ICX285AL

yes

none

1392 × 1040

6.45 × 6.45 μm

9.0 × 6.7 mm

G1-1400C

ICX285AQ

yes

RGBG (Bayer)

1392 × 1040

6.45 × 6.45 μm

9.0 × 6.7 mm

G1-2000

ICX274AL

yes

none

1628 × 1236

4.4 × 4.4 μm

7.2 × 5.4 mm

G1-2000C

ICX274AQ

yes

RGBG (Bayer)

1628 × 1236

4.4 × 4.4 μm

7.2 × 5.4 mm

Gx Camera Ethernet Adapter

Gx Camera Ethernet Adapter allows connection of
Gx series cameras (models G0 to G4) to the control computer using
Ethernet interface and TCP/IP protocol stack (this means over
Local or Wide Area Networks). Single Gx Camera Ethernet Adapter
contains up to four USB 2.0 ports and allows connection of up to
four Gx cameras at the same time (regardless of the specific
series, cameras can be freely combined).

Model

Supported cameras

Ethernet interface

USB 2.0 ports

Power supply

Dimensions

GxETHA

G0 to G4

1 Gbps, 10/100 Mbps

4

12 V DC

188 × 184 × 40 mm

GxETHA Mini

G0 to G4

1 Gbps, 10/100 Mbps

4

19 V DC

128 × 111 × 50 mm

GxETHA Micro

G0 to G4

1 Gbps, 10/100 Mbps

4

12 V DC

95 × 83 × 39 mm

Off-Axis Guider

Off-axis Guider (OAG) adapters are designed to allow attachment
of any guiding camera with 1.25" eyepiece nose, although the nose
must be somewhat shorter to achieve focus. G0 cameras are designed
to achieve focus with Gx OAG and a special shorter version of
1.25" nose with C-mount thread is available for all G1 cameras.
Any camera with CS-mount (short version of C-mount standard) can
use this adapter to be attached to all variants of OAG
adapters.

Off-axis guider adapters for G2 cameras are
equipped with standard M42 × 0.75
(T-thread) or M48 × 0.75 thread on
the telescope side in a proper 55 mm
back focal distance. This means G2 camera with OAG can be used on
numerous optical systems, including Newtonian coma-correctors,
refractor field flatteners etc.

Model

Supported cameras

Filter wheels

Back focal distance

Front thread

Guider camera port

OAG-2-TT

G2

Internal, EFW-2S

55 mm

M42 × 0.75
(T-thread)

1.25 "

OAG-2-M48

G2

Internal, EFW-2S

55 mm

M48 × 0.75

1.25 "

Off-axis guider adapters for G3 and G4 cameras
are equipped with M68 × 1 thread on
the telescope side in the distance 61.5 mm from the detector. Two variants (for G3
cameras and for G4 cameras) differ in the mounting holes placement
and also in the distance of the reflecting mirror from the optical
axis.

Model

Supported cameras

Filter wheels

Back focal distance

Front thread

Guider camera port

OAG-3-M68

G3

Internal, EFW-3S

61.5 mm

M68 × 1

1.25 "

OAG-4-M68

G4

EFW-4M, EFW-4L

61.5 mm

M68 × 1

1.25 "

Camera control and image processing software SIPS

Powerful SIPS (Scientific Image Processing System)
software, supplied with the camera, allows complete camera control
(exposures, cooling, filter selection etc.). Also automatic
sequences of images with different filters, different binning etc.
are supported. With full ASCOM standard support, SIPS can be also
used to control other observatory equipment. Specifically the
telescope mounts, but also other devices (focusers, dome or roof
controllers, GPS receivers etc.).

SIPS also supports automatic guiding, including image
dithering. Both autoguider port hardware interface
(6-wire cable) and mount Pulse-Guide API guiding methods
are supported. For hi-quality mounts, capable to track without the
necessity to guide at last during one exposure, inter-image
guiding using the main camera only is available.

SIPS controlling whole observatory (shown in optional
dark skin)

But SIPS is capable to do much more than just camera and
observatory control. Many tools for image calibration, 16 and
32 bit FITS file handling, image set
processing (e.g. median combine), image transformation, image
export etc. are available.

SIPS handles FITS files, supports image calibration and
processing

As the first S in the abbreviation SIPS means
Scientific, the software supports astrometric image reduction as
well as photometric processing of image series.

SIPS focuses to advanced astrometric and photometric
image reduction, but also provides some very basic
astro-photography processing

SIPS software package is freely available for download from this www site. All functions are
thoroughly described in the SIPS User's Manual, installed with
every copy of the software.

Drivers for other software packages

Drivers for ASCOM standard as well as native drivers for
third-party software are also available (e.g. TheSkyX, MaxIm DL,
AstroArt, etc.). Visit the download page of this web site for current list
of available drivers, please.

Also INDI drivers for 32 bit and
64 bit Linux running on x86 and ARM
are available. Also drivers for TheSkyX package running on macOS
are supplied with the camera.